Saint Benedict Medal 3.1cm

The Front of the Medal

The Cross and the Rule

On the front of the image of St. Benedict, holding in his right hand the Glorious Cross, the Christian’s symbol of eternal salvation. In his left hand, he holds the Rule for Monasteries, which could be summed up in the words of the Prologue: “Walk in God’s ways, with the Gospel as our Guide.”

The Raven and the Poisoned Cup

On a pedestal to the right of St. Benedict is the poisoned cup, shattered when he made the sign of the cross over it. On a pedestal to the left is a raven about to carry away the loaf of poisoned bread that a jealous enemy sent to St. Benedict.

The Back of the Medal

On the back is a cross with the letters

C S S M L – N D S M D. these are the initials of the words:

Csacra sit mihi lux! Non draco sit mihi dux!

(“May the holy cross be my light! May the dragon never be my overlord!”)

C S P B, stand for:

Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti

(“The Cross of [our] Holy Father Benedict”).

Surrounding the back of the medal are the letters V R S N S M V – S M Q L I V B which refer to the prayer of the Rite of Exorcism:

Vade retro Satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana!

Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas!

(“Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities!

What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!”)

at the top is the word PAX which means “peace.”